Cobalt’s battery-powered boom has turned to bust

Cobalt’s battery-powered boom has turned to bust: A blistering rally in the cobalt market is turning into a rout, putting pressure on miners and offering tentative cost relief for carmakers after a surge in battery metal prices last year. Cobalt rallied sharply early in 2022 as demand for electric vehicles surged. But while automotive usage is still rising, there’s been a sharp drop-off in buying from another key sector – Chinese electronics – and cobalt prices have crashed more than 50% since a peak in May.

Green hydrogen moves by China, India boosting outlook for platinum group metals

Green hydrogen moves by China, India boosting outlook for platinum group metals: The firm embrace of the new green hydrogen and hydrogen fuel cell future by China and India is a huge twin boost for Southern Africa’s great platinum group metals (PGMs) endowment, Mining Weekly can today report. Hydrogen technologies have a special relevance for South Africa as most of the PGMs that are needed for the related technologies are hosted and mined in South Africa, which also offers for itself excellent sources of renewable energy through its superior sun and prime wind.

Omnia turns on the first phase of its 10 MW solar farm in Sasolburg

Omnia turns on the first phase of its 10 MW solar farm in Sasolburg: JSE-listed chemicals company Omnia on January 27 unveiled the 5 MW Phase 1 solar power plant at its Sasolburg operations, in the Free State, followed immediately by a sod-turning ceremony to mark the start of construction on an additional 5 MW power plant.  This second phase of the solar power plant, which will bring the total capacity up to 10 MW, will be completed by September, Omnia manufacturing MD Francois Visagie said at the event.

Pronounced platinum production plummet­ predicted by independent consultant

Pronounced platinum production plummet­ predicted by independent consultant: Global mine supply of platinum will fall by 500 000 oz to a million ounces as South Africa’s power shortage lowers production from 2023 to 2027, independent precious metals consultant Dr David Davis calculates in a summary report on platinum group metals (PGMs) production and Eskom. Davis, who has been associated with the South African mining industry and mining investment industry for the past 45 years, also expects Russian PGMs supply to decline by 5% to 10%.

Underground mining at Anglo Platinum’s Mogalakwena targeted to start end 2024

Underground mining at Anglo Platinum’s Mogalakwena targeted to start end 2024: The first potential underground mining at Anglo American Platinum’s opencast Mogalakwena platinum group metals (PGM) mine in Limpopo is targeted to start towards the end of 2024 and build up slowly to a full underground unit by the end of the decade. “We’re nearing the end of phase one of the decline development, which will start to give us the access to the underground drilling,” Anglo Platinum CEO Natascha Viljoen disclosed in response to Mining Weekly during an investor day media call.

Gold demand to continue benefitting from high inflation in 2023

Gold demand to continue benefitting from high inflation in 2023: The interplay between inflation and central bank intervention will be key in determining the outlook for gold in 2023, says World Gold Council (WGC) in its latest ‘Gold Outlook’ report. The council says that, with the global economy having been hit by various shocks over the past year, central banks have stepped up their aggressive fight against inflation.

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Implats issues RFI for renewable energy to be wheeled to its South African sites

Implats issues RFI for renewable energy to be wheeled to its South African sites: Platinum group metals miner Impala Platinum (Implats) has issued a request for information (RFI) to buy an unspecified volume of electricity, through wheeling from renewable energy sources, for its South African operations. Implats, whose electricity consumption accounts for 74% of its total energy consumption and almost 10% of its operating costs, has ambitions to secure 30% of the electricity for its new projects from renewable sources by 2030.

Sparkling Venetia underground diamond project heading for first production in 2023

Sparkling Venetia underground diamond project heading for first production in 2023: A visit by Mining Weekly to the Venetia Underground Project (VUP) on November 14 provided far-reaching insight into this major diamond development that is scheduled to achieve occupational readiness and first production next year. “Hopefully, the first part of the year, all going well. We had a setback recently with some of our visa approval processes, which has caused some challenges, but we’ll overcome them,' VUP project director Allan Rodel assured.

Green hydrogen truck trials going well – Anglo

Green hydrogen truck trials going well – Anglo: The 500 t world-first haulage truck powered by green hydrogen last week underwent fully loaded trialling that included tipping into the crusher at Anglo American Platinum's Mogalakwena platinum group metals mine in Limpopo. “The trials all went well,” Anglo American group technical director Tony O’Neill told this week’s second 2022 sustainability performance presentation, covered by Mining Weekly.

China becoming fuel cell electric vehicle leader, World Platinum research indicates

China becoming fuel cell electric vehicle leader, World Platinum research indicates: In what is a major plus for platinum demand and consequently South Africa’s local mining economy, China is poised to become a leading market for platinum-using fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), which provide the zero-emission mobility that the world so desperately needs to combat rampant climate change. In addition, China’s plans to boost climate friendly green hydrogen generation are also supportive of FCEV penetration.